"Rice Krispie" Treats (Marshmallow Squares) in a Bread Machine

It is possible to make Rice Krispie treats completely in the bread machine. If you refine your technique, it is even possible to make them with no manual steps other than adding the ingredients, and then taking them out of the pan to cut and serve.

You can make these with any kind of cereal, and you can see that I made a fruity variation by using "Trix".

Tools:

Bread machine with a "Jam" cycle.

1. If your pan is not sized for a "2 pound loaf" of bread, you may need to adjust the ingredient amounts

Spatula or spoon

1. You will really want this to be silicon or equivalent. This recipe is very, very sticky.

Measuring cup

Cutting board and knife

Waxed paper (optional)

1. This can help during clean up from melted marshmallow drips

Ingredients:

6 cups of cereal (Traditionally Rice Crispies, but I used Trix)

10 oz Marshmallows

3-4 Tbs Butter

Why would you want to make these treats in a bread machine, instead of in a conventional fashion?

1. All-in-one environment- You don't need a stove and several pans to make them, or a traditional kitchen at all. You could make these in a dorm, or in an office cubicle, or outside with an outlet.
2. Straightforward clean up - Bread machine pans are almost always nonstick, and using a single pan cuts down on what needs to be washed.
3. Minimal activity needed- human attention and work is minimal compared to the traditional fashion, so you can do other tasks while the treats are being made.

For Teachers or others in a institutional setting:

1. Safer- the heating element is sealed away, making it practically impossible to start a fire and much harder to burn yourself.
2. Multiples are cheap - Bread machines can be found very cheaply, so it is possible for more people to have direct interaction.
3. Pre-programming - On some machines, you can pre-create programs and settings ahead of time, leaving less to chance or inattention.

Your bread machine will need to be able to apply heat and stir at the same time. On most machines, this is labeled as the "Jam" or perhaps "Jelly" setting.

Many machines add a slight amount of heat during the "Knead" cycle, but it is not enough to melt the butter and marshmallow.

It is possible to make these treats with very little action on your part. For your first attempt, I don't recommend "dump and go", as variations in bread machines mean that you may not get what you expect.

When you first try this, pay attention to the following:

1. How long does it take the pan to reach a temperature to melt the butter?
2. "Browned butter" is a popular variation, but you want to do it on purpose, not accidentally.
3. Do the paddles stir gently, or vigorously?
4. Too strong, and they will crush the cereal instead of folding it in. Too weak, and the ingredients won't fully incorporate.
5. How long does it take for everything to mix?
6. You can easily overcook the treat if you ignore it for too long. (It is easy to guess how I know this.)

Add 3-4 tablespoons of butter to the pan.

Start the "Jam" cycle and wait for the butter to begin to melt.The butter doesn't need to be completely melted before moving to the next step, but it should be well along.

Optional: Set a timer and write down how long it takes the butter to melt. You can use this time to plan fully automatic.

Add approximately 10 ounces of marshmallows to the pan.

Depending on the size and orientation of the pan, this may seem alarmingly full. Marshmallows are mostly air, and they will reduce in size as they melt. You don't them to be completely melted before you move to the next step, nor do all of them need to be melting, but they should be well along.

Optional: Set a timer and note how long it takes the marshmallows to melt. You can use this to plan fully automatic.

You can speed the process of melting the marshmallows by stirring them manually with a spatula or spoon, especially if your jam cycle is on the gentle side.

Add 6 cups of cereal to the marshmallow mixture.

Again, depending on your pan size, this may seem very full.

Optional: record how long it takes to mix the marshmallows and cereal. You can use this to plan for fully automatic.

You can speed the process of mixing the cereal by stirring them manually with a spatula or spoon, especially if your jam cycle is on the gentle side.

You want the marshmallows and cereal to be fully mixed. That is your sign to stop the jam cycle.

Things to avoid:

1. A pool of melted butter at the bottom that doesn't mix with the marshmallows
2. Clumps of cereal that don't mix in
3. Marshmallow fluff that sticks to the walls and doesn't incorporate
4. A layer of loose dry cereal that floats over a layer that mixes properly

If this happens, it is your cue to take a more active role and stir with the spatula until you get everything completely blended together evenly.

Remove the pan from the machine. (Carefully- it will be quite hot.)

Turn the pan upside down on a cutting board covered with wax paper, and leave it to cool.

After a few minutes, the treat should easily release from the pan and come to rest on the waxed paper.

Leave the pan upside down on the cutting board so the treat will keep the "loaf" shape.

When the pan is no longer hot, but merely warm to the touch, you can pull the pan away to leave the treat on the waxed paper.

Because the pan is non stick, there should be nothing left inside except traces of melted marshmallow.

Let the treat cool completely before trying to cut them. This can take an hour.

Then enjoy your treats!

If you thought this was an interesting way to make these treats, I have several other recipes you might like.

The bread machine is an underappreciated kitchen tool, and can do far, far more than people give it credit for.

1. Cook EVERYTHING With Your Bread Machine
2. Easy Lentil Chickpea Stew - in the Bread Machine
3. BBQ "Pulled Pork" Jackfruit in the Bread Machine!
4. Tomato Sauce From the Bread Machine
5. Broccoli, Spinach and Mushroom Calzone in the Bread Machine
6. A Feast in One Pot: Tomato-Lentil Soup in Bread Bowls With Cheese Sandwiches and Bread Pudding